§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Government collects a large revenue from Burma which it does not expend in Burma but devotes to general Indian purposes, with the result that the resources of Burma are very imperfectly developed, both as regards roads and railways and land development, which are not only not fostered, but rather retarded by the Indian Government; and whether he will consider severing the connection between India and Burma and creating the latter a Crown Colony, with a view to its better development and a juster expenditure of its revenue on Burmese development?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think that the first part of the hon. Member's question overlooks the radical alteration which has been made on the recommendation of Lord Meston's Committee, by the rules under the Government of India Act for the apportionment of revenues between the Government of India and the pro vinces. As regards the second part of the question, I hope that the whole question of Burma's constitutional future will be examined shortly by the Standing Joint Committee on Indian affairs.